A Printmaking blog exploring current issues in the fine art of printmaking.

Friday, March 02, 2007

woodblock

I'm embarking on a new adventure. I'm teaching myself how to do woodblock printing using GaborPeterdi'smethods. I didn't remember that he had a sectionin his book about woodblock printing until I wassearchingthrough ityesterday. I really like his instructions and I think it will be enough to get me started. So, I went out and bought some materials that I didn't have which was a lot of fun. I usually despise shopping, but getting art supplies is always fun. I bought some cheap woodcut tools because I didn't find any that I liked. I'll probably have to order them online. Besides I wanted to make sure I liked this process before I spent a lot of money on things, but maybe that's the wrong philosophy to start a hobby with? Since I don't have a car getting wood is very hard. I had to bike a long way to my favorite store in the whole wide world Home Depot! Actually, I hate this store with a passion. I got some strange ink called adigraf ink which is waterbased. I'd rather work with waterbased ink since I'm working at home with a crazy cat who'll eat anything. The ink smells like acrylic paint and is a bit glossy, but I'll give it a go when I get to that point. I likeGaborPeterdi's book because the way he writes is as if you were in the classroom with him. He offers some fine suggestions on mistakes that his students have made, and offers a lot of advice and philosophy on how woodblock printmaking should be approached.

The project that I am taking on that I have been thinking about for years now is tarot cards. I've been doing readings for myself for six years now, and I'm still fascinated in the imagery of the cards. Ever since I heard that Salvador Dali created his own set, I've wanted to do it. There is a challenge that has been proposed by my Prof.J to find the earliest print in western civilization. I have looked and looked and cannot find one that dates earlier than the 1423AD woodcut of St. Christopher. On my searches I came across some information on suggestions that the earliest images on woodblock besides religious iconography could have been a deck of cards, but nobody has any images of them. Cards were banned by the government soon after they were widely distributed using woodblock, so I'm sure a lot of them have been destroyed.

I stumbled across Salvador Dali's woodblock/etchingsand realized that I had never seen these images before. There are wild and creative. I really like these a lot more than I his oil paintings. These images are so fresh and free I can't help but compare this work to a lot of art I see in the contemporary galleries in San Francisco. I went to the Dali museum which is located outside of Barcelona. It's a really great museum if you have the chance to visit it. It's in a really small town which has devoted itself to selling Dali trinkets. I really was amazed by how much work Dali did in his lifetime. Forget having a solo show this guy has floors and floors of work in all mediums. It's really inspiring to be in there.

9 comments:

Mandy, Good luck with your adventures in woodcut. I'm also exploring this wonderous medium and am finding it a worthy challenge. As for inks, may I suggest a trip to Sinopia, a store located in your fair city- or check out http://www.sinopia.com Nothing beats making your own inks. :-)Have fun and I look forward to seeing the results.peggy (odin) k.

Hey Mandy,I had woodcut in my class I took last fall. We worked on wood and linoleum. The tools I got are called Power Grip. They're made in Japan, reasonably priced and good quality. You can get them from Rockler.com, which is a woodworking supply company. Good luck & have fun!

it's funny you should post this...i too was considering woodcut. i have realized in recent months that i have never attempted woodcut printing. as a printmaker i feel ashamed to admit that. anyway, good luck to you and maybe i'll meet you on the other side.

Joel said to get ahold of you through your blog. I am an independent art consultant in Minneapolis. I was interested in your work. Do you show in any galleries in the midwest? The gallery I work out of brokers Picasso and Dalis(similiar to what you posted, ironic) and many other artists. Let me know if you are interested.

Hey im 14 & considering whether to do woodcut as part of my art exam! The themes (which i have narrowed it down to) are weathered by time and a dedicated follower of fashion. Has anyone got any ideas? plz write back! i'll be checking everyday.